Who is Marta, what nickname did Brazilian legend Pele give her and what awards has she won?

The 32-year-old was awarded the Best FIFA Women's Player of the Year at the ceremony in London in September beating Ada Hegerberg and Dzsenifer Maroszan.

Marta has been called the best female footballer of all time

Who is Marta and what nickname did Pele give her?

Marta is a 32-year-old Brazilian forward who currently plays for Orlando Pride.

She holds the record for the most goals scored at FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments – 15.

Brazilian legend Pele nicknamed her the "Pele in a skirt" as she is often regarded as the best female player of all time.

She was awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year five consecutive times between 2006 and 2010 and won two silver medals at the Olympics.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero, she was one of eight to carry the Olympic Flag.

How many times has she been awarded the Best FIFA Women's Award?

Marta was announced as the winner of the 2018 award in October.

She became the first player to win the award six times having won it five years in a row between 2006 and 2010.

Speaking as she picked up the trophy, she said: "This means so much, but it is not only about Marta, it is about my team-mates and women's football.

"Most importantly, it is good to see women's soccer grow each year. If I keep doing well and that can help off the field too, then I am happy."

Has she ever won the Women's World Cup?

2007 was the closest Marta has come to lifting the World Cup trophy.

Brazil made it through to the final, but were beaten 2-0 by Germany at the Hongkou Football Stadium, Shanghai.

HONOURS

Umea IK

  • Damallsvenskan: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  • Svenska Cupen: 2007
  • UEFA Women's Cup: 2003–04
  • UEFA Women's Cup: 2006–07 Runner up, 2007–08 Runner up

Santos

  • Copa Libertadores de Futbol Femenino: 2009
  • Copa do Brasil de Futebol Feminino: 2009

FC Gold Pride

  • WPS Championship: 2010

Western New York Flash

  • WPS Championship: 2011

Tyreso FF

  • Damallsvenskan: 2012
    UEFA Women's Champions League: 2013–14 Runner up

FC Rosengard

  • Damallsvenskan: 2014, 2015

National German team

  • Pan American Games: 2003, 2007
  • Sudamericano Femenino: 2003, 2010, 2018
  • FIFA Women's World Cup: 2007 – Runner-Up
  • Silver medal at the Summer Olympics: 2004 and 2008

Individual

  • The Best FIFA Women's Player – Runner-up (1): 2016
  • FIFA World Player of the Year – Winner (5): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018
  • FIFA World Player of the Year – Runner-up (4): 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014
  • FIFA World Player of the Year – 3rd place (2): 2004, 2013
  • Copa Libertadores de Fútbol Femenino Golden Ball (1): 2009
  • Damallsvenskan Top Scorer (3): 2004, 2005, 2008[46]
  • Damallsvenskan Best Forward of the Year (2): 2007, 2008
  • U-20 World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2004
  • FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2007
  • FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Shoe (1): 2007
  • Women's Professional Soccer MVP (2): 2009, 2010
  • Women's Professional Soccer Golden Boot (3): 2009, 2010, 2011
  • Women's Professional Soccer Championship MVP (1): 2010
  • Sudamericano Femenino top-scorer: 2010
  • Sports Illustrated Top 20 Female Athletes of the Decade (2000–2009) (#7)
  • FIFPro: FIFA FIFPro World XI 2016

Did she play against England in the friendly at Meadow Lane?

On October 6, 2018 England played Brazil in an international friendly at Meadow Lane.

Marta, who is the captain for Brazil, had been confirmed in the Brazil squad for the game and made the starting XI.

The 32-year-old played for 20 minutes in the game before being forced off due to a hamstring injury.

Source: Read Full Article